Report | European Film Market
Behind the scenes of show business

During the Berlinale, the European Film Market (EFM) took place once again, and we had the opportunity to participate as hosts and hostesses for the Canadian Pavilion on behalf of Telefilm. 

By Mikha Moryoussef and Juan Martin Patino

A unique experience

The EFM gave us a fresh perspective on what the roles of producer and distributor entail. Having access to this space dedicated to international collaboration was a unique experience. The Canadian Pavilion hosted numerous production and distribution companies, all there to develop promising partnerships. We had the specific task of guiding visitors in their search for collaboration opportunities with our country. Nothing less! 

Our main responsibility was to provide clients with relevant information about distributors or producers interested in co-producing or distributing films with the country in question. The workload could sometimes be heavy: we compiled clients’ requests into memos so we could follow up with them via email after completing our research. However, the best part of our experience at the EFM was the wealth of connections we made.

Networking is an integral part of the film industry, and we made sure to participate in it on numerous occasions. Early in our trip, we were fortunate enough to be invited to the Canadian Embassy for an evening gathering attended by many professionals from the Canadian film industry. The event began by celebrating the achievements of all those involved in the various projects presented at the Berlinale, after which the floor was opened for guests to mingle and engage in enriching conversations. We had fascinating conversations with several directors and industry professionals, including Geneviève Dulude-De Celles, whose film Nina Roza was in competition, and who shared some exclusive scoops with us. This event gave us a real taste of what networking will look like in our future careers.

In the rhythm of encounters

Later, we had another extraordinary experience during an evening that included three back-to-back networking events. It began with a SODEC celebration, where we met many Quebecers working in various sectors of the industry, which gave us a better understanding of how the industry operates in Quebec. Then, we headed to the prestigious Bellboy Bar, where the launch of the first edition of the film market for the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was being celebrated, and where we discovered a whole new side of the Canadian film industry. Finally, we attended the premiere celebration for the film Nina Roza, which featured music, dancing, and fascinating discussions.

Our experiences behind the scenes in the film industry have been among the most rewarding opportunities of our lives. They have prepared us to tackle the challenges of a career in film and have clearly equipped us better for what lies ahead.